Microstructure and mechanical properties of AA7075/AA5182 jointed by FSW

In this study, AA7075 and AA5182 aluminium alloys were joined using different rotation speeds (980, 1325 and 1800 rpm), feed rates (108 and 233 mm/min) and stirred pins having two different geometries (conical helical and triangular). Microstructures of welding joints were examined by an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Vickers hardness measurements were performed in the welding zone of samples removed from each welded plate. Tensile and fatigue tests were also applied to the test specimens taken from the welded plates. After the tensile tests, the surface fractures and possible welding defects were scanned via SEM. The best mechanical properties were obtained when conical helical shape stirrer pins were used. The values were 265 MPa for tensile test and 159 MPa for fatigue test. The hardness value was very close to each other and varied depending on the rotation speed. The highest hardness value was determined as 87 HV in the weld center at 1325-rpm rotation speed.